Status-Global/State:

Distinguishing Characteristics:

The four-spotted skimmer has small dark marks on the wings at the nodus and near the base. The thorax is gray-brown with hairs. The abdomen is gray-brown with narrow lateral yellow stripes. The female lacks the flange of the male, near the end of the abdomen. A very active dragonfly, it will eat other smaller dragonflies.

Description of Habitat/Range:

This species is commonly found throughout Canada and northern United States, including mountains in the west. It is usually found at boggy wetlands, slow streams, and borrow pits. It is very common and widely distributed throughout Wisconsin.

Flight Season:

Early May to mid-August in Wisconsin.

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

<1%(1)

11%(107)

56%(525)

31%(286)

1%(13)

<1%(3)

Shading illustrates monthly percentages of the total flight season records for the species.
Each flight season record is a unique date/location/observer combination where one or more adult or an
exuvia was recorded (excludes nymphs). The actual number of flight season records for each month is shown
in parentheses.

Flight seasons begin earlier in the southern
part of the state, often by a week or more. Also, flight charts may not be accurate for rare species because of
few data available.